Top 10: Starter Bikes

The tumultuous rumble of dual exhaust cans drowns out the stale elevator music on your way up to the office. You daydream of wheelies, knee-dragging and checkered flags. Sleep is a fond memory, due to motorcycle-induced insomnia. If you experience any of these symptoms, you have the fever, and once you’ve been bitten, there is no antidote. After completing your MSF safety course, obtaining your motorcycle license endorsement and purchasing the proper riding gear, there’s only one thing left on the list: Find your starter bike.

Shrewd riders will opt for a starter bike with a smaller engine, lower seat height and comfortable riding position to aid the two-wheel acclimatization process. Bikes like the Suzuki Hayabusa, Kawasaki ZX-14 and Yamaha YZF-R1 are certain death rockets for beginner riders, so hide the pride and spring for a tamer machine. Entry-level motorcycles usually tend to be wallet-friendly and produce exceptional gas mileage, which is paramount in these preposterous economic times.

Have a good, hard look at our list of the top 10 starter bikes that are on the market now, and work your way up to that Z1000.